Reasons to be cheerful

PUNCHING the air Stuart Pearce style, circa England Euro '96, Iain Dowie's post-match enthusiasm in front of the fans epitomised the incredible mood swing that has taken place at Coventry City since his arrival at the club.

PUNCHING the air Stuart Pearce style, circa England Euro '96, Iain Dowie's post-match enthusiasm in front of the fans epitomised the incredible mood swing that has taken place at Coventry City since his arrival at the club.

The Sky Blues manager had shouted himself hoarse as he encouraged and cajoled his players through his third game in charge, having got off to a flying start with seven points from a possible nine, including two faith-restoring victories at home.

While the second half may not have been the finished article in terms of a complete performance, there was more than enough on show in the opening 45 minutes to send the supporters home happy.

Michael Doyle got the ball rolling with a perfectly-dispatched 21st-minute spot kick after David Livermore had clearly brought Stephen Hughes down just inside the box, before leading scorer Leon McKenzie took his season's tally to eight as he stamped his mark in Kevin Kyle's absence due to suspension.

There were a few raised eyebrows in the stands when Doyle grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot, but despite the doubters - some of whom included his own team-mates - the 25-year-old made no mistake.

"It was a bit hectic and everyone was coming up and asking me if I was sure and I think everyone in the whole stadium was thinking what's he doing, but I have been practising for a good while now," he revealed.

"I was delighted to get the goal and to be fair, the first day the manager came in he asked who wanted to be on penalties and no one really said anything apart from Elliott Ward.

"But I thought I would have them because I have always practised them.

"If Wardy had been up there he might have had something to say but I have been waiting for one and I knew where I was going and I was pretty confident."

If anyone doubted Doyle's commitment to the club in the wake of his troubled few weeks, they need only look at his celebration in which he kissed the badge while running in front of the fans behind the goal.

Overall, there was a determined work ethic in abundance from the team as individuals who had previously come under fire for not playing to their potential.

Hughes, for one, looked back to his best with clear signs that he and Doyle's central midfield partner-ship is flourishing once more as they controlled the middle of the park for long periods against experienced players like Ray Parlour who, having put on a master class display in his first three games for Hull, was unable to make an impact in the match.

That fact was reinforced by the work of Isaac Osbourne who covered acres of ground and got tackles and blocks in while helping to drive the play forward.

And his determination shone through when he nicked the ball off fullback Damien Delaney and put in a lovely cross for McKenzie to head home in the six-yard box to record his 34th-minute goal.

Elsewhere, Jay Tabb once again made himself busy, cutting in from the left flank from where City enjoyed numerous attacks in the first half, while Dele Adebola held the ball up extremely well with his back to goal and gave the Tigers' centre-backs a torrid time, so much so that opposition manager Phil Brown changed his back four around at half time in order to cope with him.

Another player who went some way to redeeming himself in the eyes of the City faithful was Adam Virgo who put in a solid display at right-back where he had come in for the suspended Andrew Whing.

Making his first start since his illfated display in the 4-2 home defeat by Crystal Palace, the Celtic loan player looked comfortable and confident in another excellent defensive display from the back four where Elliott Ward was once again in commanding form at the heart of the operation.

Andy Marshall played a significant part in City keeping their first clean sheet in six games when he made two impressive reaction saves to deny headers from first, substitute Dean Marney and second, Dean Windass, in what was the veteran's only real chance of the game midway through the second half as the visitors enjoyed a 20-minute spell of pressure.

But even when not in control of the ball, Coventry worked tirelessly to close their opponents down and limit their chances, while throwing their bodies in the line of fire.

"I thought Virgs was outstanding," said the delighted Dowie.

"Stuart Elliott was a big factor for Hull against Birmingham last week but Adam nullified him very well, and Leon does what he does.

"He worked in behind the channel and scored a great header.

"Dean Windass is a handful.

"Colin Hawkins beat himself up for one misplaced pass and he shouldn't do that because he has done loads of things well.

"Windass pulled off his shoulder and hit a great bullet header and Marshy pulled off one outstanding save and one that I would certainly expect him to make.

"Doyle and Hughes were excellent and it is a real partnership that is coming.

"Doyle is trying to bring a bit more passing to his game and I think we are seeing that, and the pair of them have been a massive part of our success.

"Along with Elliott Ward, they are big leaders in our team and that is no disrespect to anyone else, but that heartbeat of the team is very important."

And as for his voice, he said: "I have been out of work too long and I am more used to sipping a glass of wine in a restaurant on a lovely afternoon somewhere, but back in the real world my voice has gone but it is improving."